Ex parte FORSLAND - Page 11




          Appeal No. 1999-0611                                      Page 11           
          Application No. 08/814,272                                                  


          having an arch-shaped pattern to give the garage door a                     
          different "aesthetic" look.  From our viewpoint, such an arch-              
          shaped pattern would comprise a top frame member having a                   
          lower edge with an upwardly arched shape, as required by claim              
          17.                                                                         
               Accordingly, we shall sustain the examiner's rejection of              
          claims 4 and 17 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable                 
          over Lewis.                                                                 
               With regard to claim 13, the examiner implicitly concedes              
          that Lewis does not disclose the upright members of the design              
          patterns (176 to 186) having "upwardly and inwardly directed                
          beveled top ends."  However, the examiner contends that the                 
          provision of mullions or moldings having beveled surfaces                   
          would have been obvious "to improve aesthetics" (final                      
          rejection, page 3).  Further, the examiner asserts on page 6                
          of the answer that "most mullions" are beveled and the                      
          appellant has not challenged this assertion.  Accordingly, we               
          shall accept the examiner's position that mullions having                   
          beveled edges are very common and find that such mullions                   
          would thus have commended themselves to one of ordinary skill               









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